Sandra Dee Baker is a self-taught Black female artist who discovered her interest for abstract artistic expression in art therapy over four years ago. Sandra's art journey began when she completed her first collage piece, “The Maze"and entered her first juried show which was selected and exhibited at The New Britain Museum of American Art 46th Annual Nor 'Easter Exhibition in 2016.Since 2016, Sandra has continued to work in mixed media and abstract designs. All of her collage paintings are designed and created solely with cut or torn painted paper. She works in an organic manner, allowing the work to evolve as she places pieces on the paper. There is movement in all her work. She loves working with vibrant colors as well as monochromatics. Her work has many elements, especially an instinctual use of texture and pattern. She employs movement, rhythm and balance. She strives for a coherent pallete that tells her when she is done with a piece. Her material choices vary. She uses acrylics, ink, watercolors, watercolor paper, and wood. Her inspirations come from personal narratives, her faith, and her commitment to walk in spirit and truth. She refers to her work as “Creative Reflections” and “Beauty for Ashes”. These titles capture how she finds artistic ways of expressing and transforming painful feelings and experiences into works of art. Over the last few years Sandra has felt honored to be embraced by members of the art community in Connecticut and Boston. She has been selected to participate in various juried shows and has won many awards. She has exhibited ed at Silvemine Gallery, Brookline Art Center, The Bruce Museum Outdoor Festival, Silvermine Galleries, Open Studios Hartford, The West Hartford Art League, Mattatuck Museum and The New Britain Museum of American Art.